Identification plate for motor driven vehicles



Dec. 8, 1931. o. ROMMEL 3 IDENTIFICATION PLATE FOR MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES Filed Nov. 21, 1929 Patented Dec. 8,1931,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTO ROMMEL, MERSECBUB-G, GERMANY IDENTIFICATION PL/A'IE non Moron nnivnn VEHICLES Application filed November 21, 1929, Serial N0. 408;808, and in Germany llecember 1 1928. i

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in illuminated identification plates for motor vehicles, and has for its primary object to provide an identifica- 5 tion plate having characters extending over the length thereof with adjustably mounted lamps shiftable to positions relatively to the identification characters for obtaining maximum illumination with the least consumption of energy.

With the above andother objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the inventionis better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the identification plate with the plate of the casing partly moved laterally of the casing to expose a lamp and support Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the terminal holder for the lamp;

Figure 4: is a side elevational view; and

Figure 5 is a top plan view. V

The identification plate includesa casing of box-like form and in vertical section is of half-pear shape and comprises a sheet metal box a with edge flanges b and bent at right angles to adjacent sides of the box. A flat metal guide bar cis fixed in a suitable manner on the upper small curve of the wall on which the terminal holder cl for the lamps pressed on resiliently, canbe adjusted at any desired distance in order that the periphery of the light cones can actually intersect according to the distance of the figures or characters. The identification plate 6 is constructed like a slide, with longitudinal flanged edges f and fl folded over andengaged with the flanged edges 6 of the box. On the outer side of the plate 6, thecharacters g are painted in the usual manner and provided with perforations h. r

In order to prevent shifting or pulling out ofthe plate 6 a hole 2' and a hinge screw with thumb nut or the like are arranged on the plate behind the identification signs. In the the other end of the lamp 0.

lower wide curve of the half peanshapedsheet metal box a holes or slots are provided,

in order that the dust or dirt which has passed which is utilized'for receiving the one point V of the lamp 0. On the opposite upwardly bent fiap Z of the metal'strip 7: a-sleeve 7) of insulating material is inserted, which serves as guide bushing for the metal pin q. The metal pin 9 carries on its inner end a seat 121 corresponding to the opposite seat n for Between the seat 721 and the sleeve 72 a spiral spring 2 for clampingis pushed over the metal pin 9, and on t is threaded portions 8 of the metal pin 9 on the outer side of the insulating sleeve a fiat nut t and a nut uhaving a flutededge are screwed. Between the two nuts t and u the one current conducting wire 1) coming from the light machine is fixed, whereas the second conducting wire w is connected to the half pear-like sheet metal box a in a suitable manner at displaying with accumulaor. In the one-phase system the conducting wire w is omitted, as the earth is given by the putting on of the plate. Owing to the terminal holder (1 shiftable in the guide bar 0 it is obtained that with the generally used voltages'of the sources of light, 6 or 12 volts, only two lamps of 3 or at the utmost 5 watts are quite suflicient to light the interior of the sheet metal box a coated with white enamel lacquer and the inner side of the cover plate e reflecting so that the perforations h on the outer side of the cover 6 are clearly recognizable at a distance of about 100' meters. 7

The present construction has been brought before the decisive examination posts of the government, tested by them cti f {r a longer time and brilliantly certified in the oflicial files, where has been pointed out that the same when olficially introduced, would cause certainly an improvement of the security of trafiic.

I claim 1- 1. In a device of the character described, an open sided casing, an identification plate closing the open side of the casing and carry- 10 ing perforated identification characters, illaminating means in the casing disposed rearwardly of and above the plane of the perforated identification characters, the illuminating means including a bar extending lengitudinally ot' the casing and a lamp bracket having resilient gripping fingers engaged with the bar and longitudinally adjustable 0n the bar.

2. In a device of the character described, an open sided casing, an identification plate closing the open side of the casing and carrying perforated identification characters, said casing having openings in its lower end, a guide bar in the upper end of the box and lamp holders adapted to be adjusted on the guide ar with respect to the length of the identification inscription to obtain maximum illumination with a minimum of current.

3. In a device of the character described,

an open sided casing, an identification plate closing the open side of the casing and carrying perforated identification characters, illuminati 11 means in the casing disposed rearwardly of and above the plane of the perforated identification characters, the illuminating means including a bar extending longitudinally of the casing, lamp holders each including a resilient strip having bent ends for the support of a lamp and downwardly bent flaps adjustably engaged with the bar for shifting a lamp relative to the identification inscription on the plate.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

o'r'ro ROMMEL. 

